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Steelers vs. Jets: Winners and losers from Pittsburgh’s Week 16 loss

By Jordan Newman

Alejandro Villanueva #78 (R) and guard Ramon Foster #73 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Alejandro Villanueva #78 (R) and guard Ramon Foster #73 of the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Brian Poole #34 of the New York Jets and JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watch as the pass to Smith-Schuster falls incomplete during the second half of the game at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Jets won 16-10. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 22: Brian Poole #34 of the New York Jets and JuJu Smith-Schuster #19 of the Pittsburgh Steelers watch as the pass to Smith-Schuster falls incomplete during the second half of the game at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The New York Jets won 16-10. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Losers

Devlin Hodges & Mason Rudolph

This is going to be brief. Neither is the answer for the future and if there was another available option, they wouldn’t be the answer now. After throwing 2 interceptions, Pittsburgh saw fit to bench QB Devlin Hodges and roll with Mason Rudolph.

Consequently, Rudolph actually was solid in the time he played Sunday. After stalling out his first drive, he led the Steelers to their only 10 points on back-to-back drives to close out the half and tie the game. Eventually finishing the afternoon throwing 14/20 for 129 yards and 1 touchdown. However, the spark didn’t last long due to a left-shoulder injury to start the 4th quarter.

A moment for redemption stopped abruptly and another terrible showing of QB play, a second straight week of only 10 points has left this offense in the abyss.

Juju Smith-Schuster & James Conner

Continuing the groupings theme of this article, the situation for both WR Juju Smith-Schuster and RB James Conner has been very similar. Both have been affected by the lack of quality quarterback performances, but never truly embraced the bigger roles they were given this season.

As of last game, JuJu only managed to haul in 2 catches for 22 yards on 4 targets as Conner racked up 32 yards on 6 carries before leaving the game for another injury. It is the fourth time in his last four starts that Smith-Schuster has been unable to eclipse the 50-yard marker, and for Conner, it was yet another start where he didn’t reach 50 rushing yards (only did it twice in 2019).

Next. Why TJ Watt Should Win DPOY. dark

It’s been a frustrating year for this offense. The step forward began with them, but the handicaps they dealt with did slow down this process. Talented in every way, JuJu is in need of a major bounce-back season next year and health concerns could write the story for Conner’s future with Pittsburgh.

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